SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Sweden and the Kurdistan Region share “very close ties”, Swedish foreign minister Ann Linde said on Tuesday.
Linde arrived in the Kurdistan Region on Monday night, following her trip to Iraq where she met with senior officials.
The Swedish minister was welcomed by Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani at Erbil international airport.
“I am glad to be back in Erbil and to meet KRG President Nechirvan Barzani,” Linde said in a tweet.
“Sweden and the Kurdish Region of Iraq share very close ties,” she added, saying they discussed the political and security situation, human rights, migration and reforms.
I am glad to be back in Erbil and to meet KRG President Nechirvan Barzani @IKRPresident. Sweden and the Kurdish Region of Iraq share very close ties. Discussed the political and security situation, human rights, migration and reforms. pic.twitter.com/4CbZEphfXf
— Ann Linde (@AnnLinde) November 23, 2021
In a statement, the Region’s presidency said the two sides discussed investment opportunities for Swedish businesses in the Region as well as gender equality, the judicial system in Iraq and the Region and climate change.
Barzani and Linde reiterated the importance of political stability in Iraq and settling disputes regarding the election results through legal channels, according to the statement.
They also discussed the importance of continuing efforts to improve the conditions for women in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and their “broader and more active” participation in the political process and governance, the statement read.
